You are right in part of your assumption that there are differences in the cancellation clauses between us and the USA. Theirs is a historical fact based on government rulings. Unfair is not a word that applies in this case as we gain from certain things our government decrees and that is our business and the same applies to them. We have a system in this country whereby certain rules are applied by the seller and in the main that is not interfered with by any of the powers that be and that sometimes works in our favour and sometimes not but it is our system. As far as holiday bookings are concerned Americans often have the edge but would you, for instance, like their form of health or social service legislation? I would assume not.
As for there being loads of empty ships out there waiting to be filled by bargain hunting Brits, well there are bargains that come up quite frequently but they are also offered worldwide and are generally snapped up fairly quickly. Don't believe that there are too many people around suffering from a poor economy any more than there are here in the UK.
An interesting point but I feel no changes appear imminent. ... Neil
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It is a well known fact that the US clients don't forfeit their deposit right up to the point of final payment. They do pay a much greater deposit than we do. Some people are booking through US TA and getting better pricing but if should that company go under you will not have abta to cover you. Basically you will be booking your own flights and the Airline will be ATOL so that would cover that. I have heard that certain Companies Cunard as well as Princess are not allowing us to book through the US. I have also heard that some US Agencies are giving their own address as the Clients as you do require an US address, IN the event of a problem don't know where this would leave you legally if say you required to be repatriated. Nowadays insurance companies create many issues where they won't pay out on claims. Recently heard about a child who fell on a RCI Ship in the Ice rink and her insurance refused to pay as she didn't have Winter Sports cover.
Just depends on how much risk you want to take. I agree that here in the UK many are just as squeezed at they are in the US
Sue.

Your quite correct Cunard, Princess & P&O are the blockers. Yes some less reputable agents are taking bookings in their own name for the said cruise lines & people are coming to grief at check in, but there are Arthur Daly's in every realm of business. Your correct in that you do have to book your own flights, but that said, some of us always do, whoever we book with. Yes there is always a risk, but probably less of a risk than driving your car to the airport.

Just following on from all comments, I think on the whole cruise prices are really good and you can wait and get even more of a bargan - and even an upgrade - re our trip 2005 QM2 Southhampton to NewYork 6 nights (£750ish inside cabin - 2 upgrades to a Blacony - fantastic - and you dont pay for any food/non alchol drinks and your flight home is icluded!) its never crossed my mind to book via the states, by the time you book your flights its probably the same anyway if not more, you do get the feeling insurance co's try it on though.

Some widely known American cruise specialists does offer cancellation up until the point of final payment with no questions asked. It also has another advantage, if your cruise suddenly drops to a 'cheap deal', you can cancel your original booking & rebook at the new price. They do require a higher deposit than most UK agents. about double. So It's not just available to the Americans, but most 'British' cruise lines do block Brits from booking Stateside, I'll let you work out who they are.

The Yanks use anything as o Cop Out. If everyone booked holidays with the knowledge that they could cancel right up to the last minute the holidays companies would go into meltdown and no - one would get holidays. We travelled as a family three weeks after 9/11 because no no would have let 12 of us cancel. We went to Florida and had a great time - no queues at Disney or anwhere else - Get real Americans - we are all feeling the pinch but if you have booked pay your cash and go - then dont book another till you can afford it!!
Marion.

Yes Americans can cancel cruise bookings without losing deposits as long as they conform to the time requirements,
IE Cancellation Fees as follows 75 days or more. NONE
74-57 days loss of deposit.56-29 days 50% of total charge
28-15 days 75% of total charge. within 14 days 100% of total charge. Check all general requirements in the cruise brochure
before booking any cruise, this is similar for all cruise lines .